20 Years of Elle Decor: Style and Substance

Elle Decor is celebrating its 20th anniversary! To celebrate they sent me a very nice surprise (so sweet of them), a copy of their new book Style and Substance: The Best of Elle Decor. All about timeless interiors that will remain chic and stylish no matter what the decade, the book features some of the most beautiful spaces that have been featured in Elle Decor over the years.


Manhattan apartment of decorator Albert Hadley


Dressing room of Jeffrey Weisman and Andrew Fisher of Fisher Weisman

Style and Substance includes photos from the homes of Sarah Jessica Parker, Monique Lhuillier, and Julianne Moore, and the work of some of our favorite designers, including Nate Berkus, Michael S. Smith and Charlotte Moss.


Jamie Cree and Marco Scarani's peri-winkle blue dining room


Home of Estee Lauder President John Demsey


Master bath of French stage designer Jean-Pascal Levy-Trumet

With a Style Guide and Sourcebook, Style and Substance is a must-have guide to chic and luxurious home decor that will stand the test of time.

{Images scanned by AphroChic}

AphroChic on Decor8 & News From The Queen!

Oh, it has been a fabulous week here at AphroChic! I woke up to a wonderful surprise on Wednesday to find that the AphroChic Dreamland Collection was featured on Decor8!!! One of my absolute favorite blogs, it is such an honor to be featured. On top of that, we were also listed as blog of the week! Thank you so much Holly!



To add to this week’s excitement, I received some news from COVERGIRL. Queen Latifah is holding a contest to promote her new album, Persona. Five lucky winners will have the opportunity to star in a national print ad for the COVERGIRL Queen Collection! Oooh, this sounds fun. Just click here and show your persona by uploading a one minute video singing your favorite song.



Finally, for a little more weekend fun, don't forget to enter the AphroChic giveaway at the Bright Side Project! You know you want to win our Haze Mimosa pillow.

Have a fun and fantastic weekend!

{Queen Latifah images furnished by Marina Maher Communications}

Inspiring Style: Lili Diallo

One of my favorite things about Domino magazine was how beautifully the rooms were styled.  Each space told a story about the intriguing designer or home owner who lived inside.  And after years of reading, I noticed that the homes I loved most were styled by the wonderful Lili Diallo. 



Lili is a stylist with a distinct signature.  The spaces she creates are modern, yet warm; high end, mixed with a casual edge; and there is always an element that feels unique and personal.



Even though Domino is no longer, I have been happy to come across Lili's work when I'm looking through my favorite shelter mags, like Living Etc.  They still stand out as the most beautiful rooms, the ones that I can see myself living in.



See more of Lili's inspiring portfolio right here, and read the post I did last year on her amazing Brooklyn loft.

P.S. - I'm traveling to Minnesota today.  I hope to have internet access, but if I don't I promise to be back and posting on Monday.  Happy Thursday!

{Images from Lilidiallostyle.com}

I Love Welovekaoru!

Cream bone china. Hand painted elements in 22 carat gold. A classic, ornate tea cup with an urban edge. I am in love with the Pretty Ugly tea cup from welovekaoru.



This London design studio is all about mixing tradition with modern design aesthetics. Traditional British craftsmanship is married with edgy designs like the urban graffiti featured on this tea cup. I would absolutely love to have a spot of tea in this hip cup and saucer set.

See more beautiful ceramics by welovekaoru right here.
 

Clarissa Hulse Is All New!

Clarissa Hulse, one of my favorite UK designers, has launched a brand new website! If you're not familiar with Clarissa Hulse, now is the time to check out her amazing line of linens, wallpaper, gifts and accessories.



The new site features a gallery full of inspirational shots of Clarissa's home decor and accessories, and a brand new blog with ideas for the home.



If that's not enough, in celebration of the new site every purchase over 50 Euros comes with a complimentary makeup purse! Just do your shopping before November 30th to get your complimentary purse.



Have fun exploring the new website. You might just discover some early holiday gifts. Enjoy!

An AphroChic Giveaway!

We are so excited to be collaborating with The Bright Side Project for our very first giveaway from the AphroChic Dreamland Pillow Collection! If you haven't heard of The Bright Side Project, it is truly one of my favorite websites. Their mission - to deliver sunshine to your life daily with fabulous and inspiring giveaways. We are so happy to support their mission and proud to be featured in their "Home, Sweet, Home" finale!

We know that so many of you L-O-V-E our Haze Mimosa Pillow (we do too!), and so we knew there was no better choice for our first giveaway. To enter to win just head on over to The Bright Side Project and answer one simple question. You have until next week to enter. I can't wait to read your answers!

Random Act of Kindness

My Bracelet!

All the way from Spain, the wonderful Carmen from Colgado De Ti sent me the most lovely gift in the mail - one of her signature bracelets!  I posted about Colgado De Ti earlier this year, and have to revisit these special jewels.



Featured in Elle, Cosmopolitan, and fashion magazines throughout Europe, jewelry from Colgado De Ti is truly unique, and I couldn't be happier to have my own special piece!



Thank you Carmen for such a random act of kindness.  It means so much.

Have a kind and happy weekend everyone!

New York Part II: J. Crew Silhouettes

In Part I of my New York trip, I highlighted the inspiring window displays at Anthropologie at Rockefeller Center. In Part II, I have to highlight their neighbor across the street, J. Crew.



J. Crew has one of my favorite window displays full of modern silhouettes. Absolutely classic, it seems that silhouettes are back in style and modern cut-outs like the ones featured here are definitely appealing.



Playing with tradition, I love that these silhouettes have a young and casual feel.



Of course it's no secret that I'm a fan of silhouettes. They are featured throughout my own pillow line, and I can't get enough of them.


Silhouette Black & White


Reflection Fuchsia

I wonder what other ways we can update the silhouette at AphroChic. Hmmm...some fun thoughts are brewing.

{J. Crew Photos: Bryan Mason for Aphrochic; Pillow Photos: Patrick Cline for AphroChic}

Original Art: Urban Bazaar

Searching the web can lead you to some amazing finds, and I was elated when I came upon the etsy shop, Urban Bazaar. Offering re-imagined WWII posters with a uniquely urban twist, there is no other way to describe these posters but cool.



The Urban Bazaar profile reads: My style is very ethnic and earthy. If you like things like Neo-soul music, natural products, or spoken word, you'll probably really love my...products. Well, I love all of those things, and I love these prints!



At just $16 a print, they are an affordable way to add style to your home, and they would look perfect in a shabby chic style white frame. I absolutely want them all!

Which one would you like to have at home?

New York Part I: Anthropologie Windows

One of my favorite places in New York is 50 Rockefeller Plaza. Of course I love Rockefeller Center for all of the wonderful things it offers - the Christmas tree, the ice skaters. But I also love that it is the one place where two of my favorite stores sit right across from each other with some fantastic window displays.



Anthropologie and J. Crew are right there at 50 Rock, and I was so happy when my husband decided to take me on a detour through the city to get a glimpse of the store windows while we were in town.



Anthropologie's window display is all about how art influences design. Abstract paintings inspired by their new Paint-By-Number Dinner Plate series are the inspiration for these windows. I absolutely love the swirls of color tempered by outfits in plum, beige and classic black and white.



Inside the store the colors and patterns are even more inspiring. A mix of pattern and texture comes together so beautifully in this bedroom display.



And it feels as if paradise is absolutely at hand with these amazing peacock feathers made by teaspoons. Can you believe it?

Inspiration is absolutely everywhere, and in New York you can find it around every corner. I'll have more pics from my travels to New York tomorrow!

{Photos taken by Bryan Mason for AphroChic}